England’s Moeen Ali infected with new UK variant of coronavirus

ccording to Sri Lankan authorities, on Wednesday, England cricketer Moeen Ali has been infected by the new UK variant of the coronavirus. This news has come as a new update in the Moeen Ali case 10 days after he arrived in Sri Lanka. The new UK strain of the virus is believed to be more transmissible.

On the eve of the 2-match Test series between England and Sri Lanka, according to AFP, deputy Chief Epidemiologist Hemantha Herath said that Moeen is Sri Lanka’s first such case. The Sri Lankan health ministry, hence, commanded extra precautions to be taken to guarantee the stop of spread of the virus from Moeen Ali in the nation.

Moeen Ali had returned positive results for COVID-19 on January 4, after reaching the Island country. The entire squad was then retested on January 5 and training was only allowed after the rest of the squad had returned negative results for their tests. Meanwhile, Moeen Ali was sent in quarantine and so was Chris Woakes since he was in close proximity with the 33-year-old.

While Woakes was tested negative, he is still doubtful for the first Test. Meanwhile, Moeen Ali’s 10-day quarantine has been extended after he complained of fatigue.

The two-match Test series between England and Sri Lanka starts on January 14 with both matches to be played in Galle.